Steel prices, Puget-Sound USA?

[mcm]

My first question is, what does 5/16, 1/4, & 3/16 pre-primed boatbuilding steel plate cost by the sheet (4x20)?

Second question; what's the approximate amount of steel most people use to build a full-keeled, 32ft. cruising sailboat?

I'm sure these questions have been asked a thousand times, but hitting 'search' didn't help, so I thought I better get a reality-check before I go any farther.

Thanks.

[mcm]

I got my answer, and without having to talk to a salesman.

65 cents a pound , and 1/4 inch boatbuilding steel is 10 pounds per square foot, making it $6.50 a square foot in quarter inch steel.

Now all I have to do is add up the math, and then I'll know if there's any reality to my dream.

[Hotel Lima]

That seems higher than I recall, does anyone know where to find it any cheaper?

[mcm]

The source who quoted me the 65 cent a pound steel price told me that, when he started his steel boatbuilding project six years ago, steel prices were only 35 cents a pound.

So according to him, steel prices have almost doubled in the last six years!

[JDsailer]

Can somebody provide me with cost difference between A36 steel plate and A588 steel plate which is more resistant to atmospheric corrosion ?

[marshmat]

Well, mcm, steel markets fluctuate... and as they do, companies merge, split and go under all over the place. As such it's really hard to predict where steel prices are going at any given time. They are a bit on the high side right now though, not sure if that'll hold, or which way it'll tend to swing next.

[Gilbert]

mcm,
I hope you are not planning to build a 32 foot boat out of 1/4 inch steel. I believe 5/32 would be more like it.

[alaskatrawler]

The price of steel has risen coinsiderably in the last four years When I bought the steel for Balto four years ago it was 30 cents a pound. Today the prices are reported to be 60 to 65 cents per pound. I bought my steel from SeaPort Steel in Seattle. Roger Parr is the man to contact with SeaPort he will work the prices to see that you get the best deal. SeaPort can also precut your steel plate off your cad files which is nice.

Dan